40FT Expandable Container House
A 12-metre expandable module that opens into about 72 m² — three bedrooms, a full kitchen and a bathroom in a single transport unit.
- Factory-direct pricing, no trading company in between
- Finished interior and electrics installed before shipment
- CE / ISO 9001 production, CNAS test reports available
- Loading plan and installation drawings supplied with the order
Reply within 1 working day · Quotation, specification sheet and loading plan included
Need a different size or layout? Configure a custom build →
Model JJ-EX40 · MOQ 1 unit (sample) · Ships from Qingdao, China
Key features
Floor area doubles on site
Side wings unfold on hinges to add roughly 140% floor area to the same transport footprint.
Interior fitted in the factory
Kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and electrics are completed and tested before the unit is packed.
One container slot per unit
Ships closed at 2.44 m wide, so freight is charged as a standard 20ft or 40ft container.
Commissioned in a day
Crane the unit, unfold the wings, connect water and power — usable the same day.
72 m² three-bedroom
The largest single-unit living space in the range — three bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom.
Single container slot
The whole 72 m² ships closed at 2.44 m wide, with no overdimensional permit.
Overview
The 40ft expandable container house is the largest single-module unit in the range. Closed, it is a standard 12-metre transport unit; opened, the two wings unfold to give roughly 72 m² — enough for a three-bedroom family layout, a full apartment or a small office suite with a meeting room.
What a 40ft layout can hold
- Two or three bedrooms with wardrobes
- Kitchen with full-height units and a dining table for six
- Bathroom with shower, WC and basin; second WC where the plan allows
- Living area with glazed wing frontage and sliding door
- Utility or storage corner, water heater and distribution board
Because the centre section is fixed and the wings carry the open living space, the wet areas and bedrooms sit on the structure and the living area benefits from the extra width. Partitions are set on the production drawing; internal doors, wardrobe joinery and kitchen units are installed in the factory.
Transport and handling
A 40ft module travels closed as a 12-metre unit — one per 40HQ or flat rack. Handling on site needs a crane or a heavy telehandler with a spreader beam; the module is lifted on the corner castings only. Set-up follows the same sequence as the smaller units and normally takes one to two working days.
When to choose it
Choose the 40ft unit when the requirement is a self-contained home or a multi-room office and you want it delivered as one lift, rather than several modules that have to be joined and sealed on site. For projects where many identical bedrooms are needed, flat pack or folding modules remain cheaper per bed.
What we need to quote
Send the room schedule, the destination port and the electrical standard. We reply with a layout drawing, a specification sheet and a handling note for the crane contractor.
Gallery
Specifications
| External size | Closed 12192 × 2438 × 2591 mm, opened ≈ 12192 × 5850 mm |
|---|---|
| Floor area | ≈ 72 m² when opened |
| Structure | Welded galvanised steel frame with corner castings, sandwich panel walls |
| Wall / roof insulation | 50 mm / 75 mm / 100 mm EPS, rock wool or glass wool (order specific) |
| Floor | 18 mm fibre cement board over steel purlin, PVC or laminate finish |
| Windows & doors | Aluminium alloy windows, steel security door or glass sliding door |
| Electrical | Lighting, sockets and distribution box pre-installed to destination standard |
| Option list | A/C, water heater, kitchenette, toilet pod, solar power, furniture package |
| Layouts | Two or three bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, living area |
| Loading | Indicative 1 module per 40HQ or flat rack, confirmed on the loading plan |
Values marked “project specific” are confirmed on the production drawing for your order.
Send specifications requestFull technical specification
Everything below is confirmed on the production drawing for your order. Values that depend on destination climate, code or layout are marked as such — tell us the port and the application and we return a fixed sheet.
Dimensions & weight
| Closed size | Closed 12192 × 2438 × 2591 mm · open ≈ 12192 × 5850 mm |
|---|---|
| Open size | ≈ 12192 × 5850 mm |
| Floor area when open | ≈ 72 m² |
| Tare weight | ≈ 6.4 t |
| Loading | 1 unit per 40HQ |
| Expansion system | Two long side wings, 3-bed layout possible |
Structure & expansion
| Main frame | Welded galvanised steel frame with ISO corner castings |
|---|---|
| Hinge system | Heavy-duty steel hinge line with manual crank or hydraulic rams |
| Wing sealing | EPDM gasket and overlapping flashing, tested with water spray |
| Roof loading | Walkable roof panel, snow load confirmed per project |
| Stacking | Single storey standard; two storeys with structural columns on request |
Insulation & climate
| Wall insulation | 50 / 75 / 100 mm sandwich panel core |
|---|---|
| Roof insulation | 100 mm glass wool plus reflective foil |
| Floor insulation | 50 mm board under the deck |
| Glazing performance | Low-E double glazing available for cold climates |
| Climate range | −25 °C to +45 °C with the matching A/C and heating package |
Windows, doors & glazing
| Windows | Aluminium sliding or tilt & turn, double glazed |
|---|---|
| Glazed frontage | Floor-to-ceiling glass panel across the wing on request |
| Entrance door | Steel security door or aluminium glass door |
| Blinds | Roller or zebra blinds fitted in the factory |
Electrical & plumbing
| Voltage | 110 V / 220–240 V to destination standard, CE or UL components |
|---|---|
| Circuits | Lighting, socket, A/C and water heater circuits on separate breakers |
| Distribution | Board with main breaker, RCD and surge protection |
| Plumbing | Pressurised water inlet, P-trap drainage, vent stack and heater circuit |
| Smart options | Scene lighting, key-card entry and USB sockets |
Interior & finishes
| Kitchen | Cabinet run with sink, hob, extractor and fridge bay |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | Shower, WC, basin, mirror, water heater in a sealed pod |
| Floor | Laminate, SPC or tile |
| Furniture | Bed, wardrobe, sofa, table and chairs in the turnkey package |
Shipping & installation
| Shipping | Closed unit ships as a standard container, no overdimensional permit |
|---|---|
| Loading | 1 unit per 40HQ |
| Installation | Crane lift, unfold wings, connect services — 4–6 hours with a 4-person crew |
| Foundation | Level pad or screw piles; no excavation for most sites |
| Documents | Structural drawing, unfolding procedure and wiring diagram supplied |
Standards & references
- ISO 668 — Series 1 freight containers: classification, dimensions and ratings (the dimensional basis for 20FT / 40FT modules).
- ISO 1496-1 — Series 1 freight containers: specification and testing, used as the reference for corner castings and lifting points.
- ISO 9001 — quality management system; inspection records and test reports are issued per order.
- IEC 60364 — low-voltage electrical installations, applied to the cabin wiring layout supplied with each unit.
- EN 1090-1 — execution of steel structures; can be specified when the destination market requires a declared execution class.
Photographs and video of the 40FT Expandable Container House are JIUJIAN GLOBAL factory material. Third-party photographs used elsewhere on this site are credited with author, licence and source on the image credits page. Values marked "to be confirmed" depend on destination climate, local code or final layout and are fixed on the production drawing before deposit.
Configuration options
Pick one line per group, or send us a mixed list — most export orders are a hybrid (for example empty shell for the camp and turnkey for the show unit).
Interior fit-out
- Empty shellSandwich panel walls, floor, electrics and windows only — you fit out locally.
- Standard fit-outPVC floor, ceiling, LED lighting, sockets, A/C prep, bathroom pod optional.
- Turnkey livingKitchen cabinets, sanitary ware, furniture, curtains, TV bracket and appliances installed before shipment.
Windows & glazing
- Aluminium slidingStandard double-track aluminium windows with insect mesh.
- Double glazedThermal-break aluminium, tempered double glazing, U-value to destination code.
- uPVC tilt & turnEuropean style, low maintenance, better airtightness for cold climates.
- Full glass wallFloor-to-ceiling fixed or sliding glazing for views and showroom use.
Doors
- Steel security doorStandard single leaf, powder coated, cylinder lock.
- Aluminium glass doorTempered glazed leaf for offices and reception areas.
- Double-leaf entranceFor canteens, recreation rooms and retail units.
Cladding & facade
- Galvanised steel paintedStandard RAL colour, gloss or matt.
- Metal carved panelEmbossed decorative panels, the most specified facade for export orders.
- Timber lookHeat transfer printed wood grain, low maintenance.
- Rock wool A2 panelNon-combustible core when fire rating is required.
Colour
- RAL 9010 whiteClean neutral, the working standard for site offices and camps.
- RAL 7016 greyModern industrial look, hides dust on site.
- RAL 5005 blue / RAL 3020 redHigh visibility for camps and welfare units.
- Custom RALAny RAL reference matched against your brand palette.
Electrical standard
- US / Canada 110VUL-style sockets, 60 Hz lighting circuits.
- EU 220-240VSchuko sockets, CE-ready.
- UK / AU / ZADestination-specific sockets and breakers.
- Solar readyDC distribution, MPPT controller, battery bay and roof mounting rails.
Bathroom
- No bathroomSleeping or office unit only, bathroom block shared elsewhere.
- Shower + WC podFactory sealed wet pod: shower, WC, basin, water heater, drain to outside.
- Wet room + washing machineLarger pod for cabins and residential use.
Add-ons quoted with the unit
- Split A/C unit
- Water heater
- Kitchenette with sink and hob
- Furniture package (bed, wardrobe, table, chairs)
- Solar panel + battery
- Ceiling cassette A/C
- Electrical inlet and breaker box
- Roof drainage kit
Tell us the quantity and the port — we price it the same day
Send the model, quantity, destination port and any layout requirement. You get a quotation, a specification sheet and a container loading plan back.
Applications
Project offices and site headquarters
Opens into a 35 m² office with reception, meeting table and WC — delivered as one container and commissioned in a day.
Photo: Axel Bleyer / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sales suites and showrooms
A finished unit with glazed frontage, used as a sales office on a new development and moved to the next site afterwards.
Photo: Wutsje / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Staff accommodation
Two or three bedrooms plus bathroom and kitchenette per module, stacked two high to save land.
Photo: Lionel Allorge / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0Application photographs are reference images of this product type in use, not photographs of our factory output. Full credit and licence for each image is listed on the image credits page.
Frequently asked
What is the minimum order for the 40FT Expandable Container House?
1 unit (sample)
How long does production and shipping take?
Confirmed per order on the proforma invoice Shipments normally leave from Qingdao port.
Can it be built for my electrical standard and layout?
Yes — wiring and sockets follow the destination standard (US 110V, EU 220V, AU, UK) and the layout, finishes and glazing can be adapted to your project.
Ask about the JJ-EX40
Send the layout and destination port — we reply with a quotation, a specification sheet and a container loading plan.
Where this unit is used
Temporary Accommodation
Short-term and relocatable accommodation for events, seasonal workforces, relief operations and projects that need rooms within weeks.
See the project setup →Mining Camp Accommodation
Modular dormitories, ablution blocks, mess halls and site offices for mine sites that start small and expand as the ore body is proven.
See the project setup →Related buying guides
Flat Pack vs Folding vs Expandable vs Modular: Structural Comparison
The four families differ mainly in how much factory work travels with the module. That single variable drives shipping cost, crane needs, assembly hours and the resale value of the unit.
Container House Installation: Step-by-Step Site Guide
Folding and expandable units are working buildings within a day. Flat pack kits are a construction task measured in days per unit, with a crew and a sequence.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Flat Pack Container House?
A flat pack container house installation typically takes 1–3 days per unit for a small crew, depending on site preparation and finishes. This guide breaks down the sequence, crew-hours, tools, and common mistakes.
Related products
20FT Double Wing Expandable Container House (Metal Carved Panel)
Both long side walls unfold to double the floor area; metal carved panel facade and complete interior.
20FT Expandable Container House
A 20ft module that opens on site into a 35 m² studio or one-bedroom unit — finished interior, one day to commission, one container slot to ship.
30FT Expandable Container House
A 9-metre expandable module that opens into about 53 m² — two bedrooms plus living space, or a compact office with a meeting room.
Need a quotation for your project?
Send your layout and destination port. We reply with price, specification sheet and container loading plan within one working day.